The discovery of New World screwworm cases in Texas cattle has revived concerns about whether the flesh-eating parasite could jeopardize the nation’s beef supply.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the situation after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the second case in the state.

Experts, however, say Americans need not worry about the safety of the food on their plates. According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Aaron Glatt of Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, screwworms pose no risk to the U.S. food supply because they are not foodborne pathogens.

“The U.S. food supply is not compromised by New World screwworm, which is an animal issue, but not a foodborne pathogen issue,” Glatt told Fox News Digital. He noted that the parasite infects live animals and does not contaminate meat, milk or produce.

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

Glatt explained that screwworms are destroyed during standard meat processing and cooking. Regulatory agencies routinely test the nation’s milk and food supply, he added, ensuring that products entering grocery stores meet safety standards.

The New World screwworm was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, but since an outbreak in Panama and Costa Rica in 2023, the fly has gradually migrated north through Central America and Mexico.

On June 3, U.S. health officials confirmed a case in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas—the first detection in cattle since eradication decades ago.

According to the USDA, 33 cases have since been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, involving cattle, goats and even a pet dog. Animals showing signs of illness are subject to strict inspection before entering the food supply.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“Animals used for human food production must pass inspection before and after slaughter to ensure that food safety and humane handling requirements are met,” a USDA spokesperson said.

Any animal deemed unsafe is blocked from processing and labeled “U.S. Suspect” for further examination by a public health veterinarian.

When screwworm infections are found before slaughter, veterinarians treat the animals and disinfect wounds to prevent further damage. The USDA requires that infected livestock be quarantined until all wounds completely heal.

The screwworm, roughly the size of a common housefly, lays eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals such as livestock, wildlife and pets. Human infections are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After eggs are laid, they hatch into maggots that feed on tissue before falling to the ground, where they pupate and mature into adult flies. A single female can lay up to 3,000 eggs over her short lifespan.

The USDA emphasizes that the parasite spreads only through direct egg laying in wounds, not through meat, dairy or any food products.

“It spreads only when an NWS fly lays eggs in a wound, not through meat, poultry or dairy products,” the USDA spokesperson said. Dr. Bobbi Pritt of the Mayo Clinic echoed that message, stressing that “people do not catch screwworm from other people, and they do not become infected by eating meat.”

The insect thrives in tropical and subtropical environments, while colder conditions restrict its presence. Researchers have noted that warmer temperatures may expand its potential habitat, though the USDA says the current outbreak appears to be tied to northward movement from Central America.

To suppress the population, the USDA has resumed using sterile insect technology, a method that helped eliminate screwworms decades ago. Sterile males released in affected areas mate with females that then fail to produce viable offspring, reducing the population over time.

In May 2025, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to upgrade a sterile screwworm production facility in southern Mexico, with renewed output expected by 2026.

A new $750 million facility at the Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, is slated to open in 2027 to bolster response capability.

While human encounters remain extremely rare, Dr. Pritt advised medical attention for any non-healing wounds that become painful, swollen or show possible larvae. She cautioned against removing maggots without professional help to avoid worsening an infection.

The CDC recommends covering skin, wearing long sleeves and using EPA-registered insect repellent to prevent bites. It also advises disposing of any maggots safely by sealing them in alcohol within a leakproof container before contacting a healthcare provider.

Despite the unsettling nature of the parasite, federal officials and infectious disease experts agree that America’s beef and milk supply remains safe.

The ongoing containment and sterile insect campaigns aim to ensure that screwworms remain a livestock problem—and not a food one.